Irish pub celebrates 25 years of 'The Black Stuff'

Former owner Philip MacKenna's brother suggested that he and his wife Cathy open an Irish pub in the Grand-Duchy - which they did in 1992.

15.10.2017

The
Black Stuff Irish pub gave a hundred thousand welcomes (céad míle
fáilte) to customers past and present for its 25th anniversary
celebration on Saturday.

It was
former owner Philip MacKenna's brother who first suggested that he
and his wife Cathy open an Irish pub in the Grand-Duchy - which they
did in 1992. They furnished and decorated it much like a country pub
in Ireland.

"It
was very popular from the start, with both locals and expatriates," he recalls.

Today
the draft Guinness is served up by proprietor Caolan O'Neill from
Monaghan and his partner Rose Plahe, who moved to Luxembourg in 2010
and took over the bar two years ago when the MacKennas retired.

"The
pub hasn't changed much in 25 years. When it opened it was a
novelty for expats because it had this cosy, quaint atmosphere and we
have never changed that," says Caolan.

A bit of Ireland in the heart of Europe

French,
German, Luxembourgish and Irish customers sample a variety of whiskies, Irish
craft beers, Kilkenny and the "black stuff" (Guinness) that gives
the pub its name.

Over the years it has served drinks to actors
Brendan Gleeson, Hugo Weaving, Stephen Dorff and Linda Hamilton, as
well as tennis players Tim Henman and Greg Rusedski.

Regular
customer John has been coming to the pub since it first opened: "It's
like having a bit of Ireland in the heart of Europe. In fact there
are actually very few traditional pubs like this left in Ireland.
Over the years Irish people arriving in Luxembourg could always come
to The Black Stuff for help or advice about getting work and
accommodation or just to meet a friendly face."

The
pub hosts music sessions every month and shows live coverage of
soccer and Gaelic football matches. It also sponsors Luxembourg
men's Gaelic football team.

"Back
in the 1990s the first European Gaelic football championship was run
from this place, with France, Holland, Belgium and Luxembourg
fielding teams," recalls John.

Former
customers and staff from across the continent joined Caolan to
celebrate the pub's silver anniversary with live music from Ross
Steele.

"This
small business is now a landmark in Luxembourg, which is incredible
at a time when things like VAT increases have affected so many cafes
and bars," says John.

Retired
owner Philip puts the pub's success down to "hard work, a good
'craic', and a warm welcome by the fire."